Our otterly adorable female North American river otter, Naya, is approaching 14, which is past her typical life expectancy. During Naya’s yearly exam, our veterinarians found a mass near her uterus. To help us further investigate what this mass could be we took Naya to our partners at Valley Central for a full CT scan which gave us a better look.

The surgical team at Valley Central was then able to assist our staff veterinarians Dr. Householder and Dr. Prevolos with removing the mass so we can send off samples to find out what it is and what other treatments Naya may need. She is now recovering comfortably behind the scenes receiving lots of extra attention from her dedicated keepers and veterinarians. They will also be keeping a close eye on her partner Luani so they can safely reintroduce them when she is ready!

Keeping our animals happy and healthy is a group effort and we are so thankful for our community and our partners who help us keep our animals in good health.

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Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

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As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but it has been treasured community landmark for centuries. Located in the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve, we have educated and entertained more than five million people. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo hosts year-round, family-friendly events and activities, educational programs, and camps. Through a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.